Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability

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Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability

Kelvin-Helmholtz instability creates beautiful wave-like cloud patterns in the sky, or billow clouds. Different layers of the atmosphere can have different densities with air moving at different speeds, causing turbulence between layers. This turbulence can cause the formation of a wave pattern, similar to how air traveling over a lake creates ripples in the water. In the atmosphere, when one layer of air sits above a still cloud layer, it will create ripples or waves in the clouds.

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Click on the posters below to learn more about the conditions and to download free high-res print and postcard files!